Rhinoplasty For Saddle Nose – Before and Afters
Saddle nose deformity, also known as nasal bridge collapse, is a condition where the middle portion of the nose appears sunken or scooped. This can result from trauma, prior nasal surgery, infection, or certain medical conditions such as granulomatosis or long-term drug use. Patients experiencing this nasal collapse often report both aesthetic concerns and breathing difficulties.
At The Seattle Rhinoplasty Center, our board-certified facial plastic surgeons specialize in correcting saddle nose deformities through advanced grafting and reconstruction techniques. Using a closed rhinoplasty approach when appropriate, our goal is to restore both function and appearance while minimizing visible scarring.
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What Causes a Saddle Nose?
A saddle nose deformity typically occurs when the septal cartilage—responsible for supporting the nasal bridge—collapses or is removed. Common causes include:
- Previous aggressive rhinoplasty
- Traumatic nasal injury
- Chronic nasal infections
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Wegener’s granulomatosis)
- Intranasal substance use
Over time, the loss of structural support causes the nose to appear flat or concave, creating a “saddle” effect on the profile.
Surgical Treatment Options
Repairing a saddle nose requires structural grafting to rebuild the nasal bridge. This is often accomplished using:
- Septal cartilage (if available)
- Ear cartilage (auricular)
- Rib cartilage (costal graft)
Our experienced facial plastic surgeons assess the degree of collapse and customize a treatment plan that restores height, shape, and symmetry to the nasal bridge. In some cases, revision rhinoplasty is combined with septoplasty for both functional and cosmetic correction.
Before and After Transformation
Patients frequently ask to see saddle nose before and after photos to understand what can be achieved through surgery. Visual documentation is an important part of the consultation process.
We provide a curated gallery of saddle nose pictures and saddle nose images that illustrate various types of deformity correction, highlighting both mild and severe cases. You can also view pictures of saddle nose outcomes to better understand the transformation possible with expert care.
What to Expect After Surgery
After saddle nose repair surgery, patients can expect:
- Temporary swelling and bruising
- External splinting for nasal stabilization
- Return to work in 7–10 days
- Final results visible after several months
Patients typically experience significant improvement in nasal breathing and profile shape. Follow-up care is critical for ensuring long-lasting results and proper healing.
Why Choose Us?
The Seattle Rhinoplasty Center is led by two of the Pacific Northwest’s top facial plastic surgeons: Dr. William Portuese and Dr. Joseph Shvidler. With decades of experience in primary and revision rhinoplasty, they offer personalized surgical plans and advanced structural grafting techniques for saddle nose correction.
Whether you’re exploring surgery after trauma or previous cosmetic work, we’re here to help you restore nasal function and facial harmony.
